Matthieu Ricard, molecular biologist, Buddhist monk, translator to the Dalai Lama, best-selling author, and photographer, spent the evening of October 16, 2009, at swissnex San Francisco for a closed, private dinner, where he spoke on Compassion in Action.

Ricard is founder of Karuna-Shechen, a charitable foundation that provides medical, social, and educational services in the Himalayan region. Brain scans done by neuroscientists at the University of Wisconsin peg him as the happiest man on Earth.

Matthieu Ricard

Matthieu Ricard is a best-selling author, translator and photographer highly regarded for his scholarship and knowledge of Buddhism and Tibetan culture. His books include "The Monk and the Philosopher," "The Quantum and the Lotus," "Happiness: A Guide to Life's Most Important Skill," and "Altruism: The Power of Compassion to Change Yourself and the World ."